Adjustable walker
A walker includes a frame and two frame supports. The frame supports provide arms and legs and are coupled to the frame to support the arms in elevated positions above ground underlying the frame.
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The present disclosure relates to ambulatory aids, and in particular to walkers. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to collapsible and height-adjustable walkers.
SUMMARYA walker includes an elevated frame comprising two upright sleeves and a stretcher located between the sleeves. The walker also includes frame supports and each frame support extends through a channel formed in one of the sleeves to elevate the frame.
Each frame support includes an arm supported for rotation in one of the sleeves between use and storage positions and a companion leg coupled to that arm to rotate therewith relative to the sleeve receiving the arm. Thus, by rotating the arm relative to the sleeve about an axis of rotation, the companion leg can also be moved relative to the frame between expanded use and collapsed storage positions along with handgrips provided on the arms. An arm-rotation adjustor is provided for each arm to lock an arm and its companion leg in selected positions relative to the elevated frame so as to establish, for example, use and storage configurations of the walker.
In illustrative embodiments, each rotatable arm is mated telescopically with its companion leg so that the elevation of hand grips provided on the arms can be raised or lowered by adjusting the position of each arm on its companion leg without interfering with rotary movement of each arm about its axis of rotation. An arm-height adjustor is provided for each arm to lock the arms in one of several positions on the companion legs so as to establish the elevation of the hand grips to a height desired by the user.
Also in illustrative embodiments, each leg is Y-shaped and includes a post that extends upwardly into a channel formed in one of the sleeves to mate with a companion arm that extends downwardly into the same channel. The post is formed to include a series of lock pin-receiving apertures configured to receive a lock pin provided in the arm-height adjustor and mounted in the companion arm to set the height of the handgrip on the companion arm. Each leg also includes an inverted V-shaped post foundation coupled to a lower portion of the post and adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame.
Features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
A walker 10 includes a walker frame 12, a first frame support 14 including a first arm 16 and first leg 18, and a second frame support 20 including a second arm 22 and a second leg 24 (as shown, for example, in
Walker 10 is configured to be collapsed easily at the option of the user for storage or transit. First frame support 14 can be rotated about an axis of rotation 15 between a “use” position shown in
Walker 10 is configured to adapt easily to users of various heights at the option of the user. A first arm-height adjustor 30 linking first arm 16 and first leg 18 can be operated in a manner suggested, for example, in
Walker frame 12 includes upright first and second arm receivers (e.g. sleeves 34, 36) and a stretcher 38 as shown, for example, in
A pin guide slot 40 is formed in first sleeve 34 and a pin guide slot 42 is formed in second sleeve 36 as suggested in
As shown in
A second arm member 54 of second arm 22 includes a handle portion 56, a mount portion 58, and an elbow 60 interconnecting handle and mount portions 56, 58 as also shown in
An upper portion of mount portion 48 of first arm member 44 is formed to include at least one upper pin hole 90 as shown, for example, in
A lower portion of mount portion 48 of first arm member 44 is formed to include at least one lower pin hole 93 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 3 and 14-16. Lower pin hole 93 is sized to receive a lock pin 78 adapted to mount in mount portion 48 and biased by pin-biasing spring 94 to project radially outwardly through lower pin hole 93. Lock pin 78 can move to an extended position to link first arm 16 to first leg 18 as shown in
An upper portion of mount portion 58 of second arm member 54 is formed to include at least one upper pin hole 95 as shown, for example, in
A lower portion of mount portion 58 of second arm member 54 is formed to include at least one lower pin hole 98 as shown, for example, in
First leg 18 includes a post 64 adapted to extend upwardly into first support receiver channel 35 formed in first sleeve 34 and mate with downwardly extending mount portion 48 of first arm member 44 as suggested in
As suggested in
V-shaped members 71 of post foundations 66, 70 are arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to one another (as suggested in
An upper portion of post 64 is formed to include a series of spaced-apart lock pin-receiving apertures 76 as shown best in
First frame support 14 includes a first arm 16 supported on the upright first sleeve 34 for rotation about axis of rotation 15 between a storage position alongside stretcher 38 as shown in
First sleeve 34 is formed to include pin guide slot 40 and first arm 16 includes a mount portion 48 extending into first support receiver channel 35 and an anchor pin 41 coupled to mount portion 48. Anchor pin 41 is arranged to extend into pin guide slot 40 for movement therein during rotation of first arm 16 relative to first sleeve 34 about axis of rotation 15 to block removal of mount portion 48 from first support receiver channel 35 formed in first sleeve 34.
Pin guide slot 40 is shown in more detail in
Walker frame 12 further includes a button mount coupled to an upper end 111 of first sleeve 34 as suggested in
First sleeve 34 includes an upper end 111 defining an opening into first support receiver channel 35. Stretcher 38 lies in spaced-apart relation to upper end 111 of first sleeve 34. Pin guide slot 40 is formed in first sleeve 34 to lie between upper end 111 and stretcher 38.
First sleeve 34 is also formed to include a pin-receiving aperture 118 as shown in
Walker frame 12 further includes an actuator button 120 mounted for pivotable movement about a pivot axis 122 on a button mount (e.g. upper end cap 110). Actuator button 120 is arranged to pivot in direction 123 about pivot axis 122 in response to application of a force 124 (see
Actuator button 120 includes a finger plate 126 coupled to upper end cap 110 using any suitable pivot support (not shown) and a pin mover 128 cantilevered to an underside 121 of finger plate 126. A plate stop 130 is provided below finger plate 126 as shown, for example, in
Walker frame 12 further includes a button mount (e.g. lower end cap 210) coupled to a lower end 211 of first sleeve 34 as suggested in
Post 64 of leg 18 is formed to include a series of vertically spaced-apart, lock pin-receiving apertures 76 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 14-16. First arm 16 is formed to include lower pin hole 93. First frame support 14 further includes a lock pin 78 mounted for movement in lower pin hole 93 between an extended position (shown in
Walker frame 12 further includes an actuator button 220 mounted for pivotable movement about a pivot axis 222 on a button mount (e.g. lower end cap 210). Actuator button 220 is arranged to pivot in direction 223 about pivot axis 222 in response to application of a force 224 (see
Actuator button 220 includes a finger plate 226 coupled to lower end cap 210 using any suitable pivot support (not shown) and a pin mover 228 cantilevered to an underside 221 of finger plate 226. A plate stop 230 is provided above finger plate 226 as shown, for example, in
In use, walker 10 is “opened” and arranged to provide ambulatory assistance to a user as suggested in
To close walker 10, first arm 16 is rotated about axis of rotation 15 as suggested in
To elevate walker 10, first leg 18 is unlocked and moved relative to first arm 16 as suggested in
Auxiliary features for walker 10 are shown, for example, in
A cane grip 312 is shown on walker frame 12 in
A second embodiment of an arm-rotation adjustor in accordance with this disclosure is illustrated in
First and second frame supports 14 and 20 are each modified in accordance with this second embodiment to include an arm retainer 500 comprising an anchor pin 541, an anti-rotation pin 591, and a pin-biasing spring 592 as shown in
Arm retainer 500 is located in mount portion 48 of first arm member 44 of first arm 16 as suggested in
Actuator button 620 is mounted for pivotable movement about pivot axis 622 on a button mount (e.g., upper end cap 610). Actuator button 620 is arranged to pivot in direction 625 about pivot axis 622 in response to application of force 124 (see
Upper end cap 610 includes a top shell 501 adapted to be coupled to a bottom shell 502 using connector 503 (or any suitable connector) as suggested in
Actuator button 620 includes a finger plate 626 coupled to bottom shell 502 of upper end cap 610 using, for example, pivot supports 605 and a pin mover 628 cantilevered to an underside 621 of finger plate 626. Actuator button 620 also includes a curved return spring 629 made of a resilient material and arranged to engage bottom shell 502 to urge finger plate 626 normally to a “ready” position shown in
A second embodiment of an arm-height adjustor in accordance with this disclosure is illustrated in
Walker frame 12 is modified in accordance with this second embodiment to include, for each of frame supports 14 and 20, an actuator button 720 and a lower end cap 710 providing a button mount for actuator button 720. Actuator button 720 is mounted to lower end cap 710 to move laterally toward and away from a height retainer 700 comprising lock pin 78 and pin-biasing spring 94 in the manner shown, for example, in
Lower end cap 710 includes a top shell 701 adapted to be coupled to a bottom shell 702 using connectors 703 (or any suitable connectors) to mate with receivers 704 as suggested in
A retainer 801 including a depending post 802 and a pin 803 appended to post 802 is provided to retain top shell 701 (and thus bottom shell 702) in a fixed position on first sleeve 34 of walker frame 12 upon engagement of pin 803 in a pin-receiving aperture 804 formed in first sleeve 34 as suggested in
Actuator button includes a finger plate 726, a pin mover 728 cantilevered to an interior side 721 of finger plate 726 and means 770 for mounting finger plate 726 for lateral movement in an aperture 707 formed in lower end cap 710 toward and away from height retainer 700 as suggested in
In the illustrated embodiment, means 770 includes upper and lower straps 771, 772 coupled to interior side 721 of finger plate 726 as shown, for example, in
Claims
1. A walker comprising
- a walker frame including upright first and second sleeves and a stretcher arranged to interconnect the first and second sleeves to maintain the sleeves in spaced-apart relation to one another
- first and second frame supports coupled to the walker frame to support the walker frame in an elevated position above ground underlying the walker frame, the first frame support extends through a first support receiver channel formed in the first sleeve, the second frame support extends through a second support receiver channel formed in the second sleeve, the first frame support including a first arm supported on the upright first sleeve for rotation about an axis of rotation between a storage position alongside the stretcher and a use position at a selected angle to the stretcher and arranged to extend away from the first sleeve to provide a grip portion adapted to be gripped by a first hand of a user, the first frame support further including a first leg coupled to the first arm to rotate therewith relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation and extend below the first sleeve and adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame and
- wherein the first arm further includes anti-rotation means for engaging the first sleeve upon movement of the first arm to the use position to block rotation of the first arm relative to the first sleeve.
2. The walker of claim 1, wherein the first sleeve is formed to include a pin guide slot and the first arm includes a mount portion extending into the first support receiver channel and an anchor pin coupled to the mount portion and arranged to extend into the pin guide slot for movement therein during rotation of the first arm relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation to block removal of the mount portion from the first support receiver channel.
3. The walker of claim 2, wherein one end of the pin guide slot defines a closed-position stop arranged to engage the anchor pin upon rotation of the first arm about the axis of rotation in a first rotary direction to assume the storage position to block further rotation of the first arm in the first rotary direction and an opposite end of the pin guide slot defines an opened-position stop arranged to engage the anchor pin upon rotation of the first arm about the axis of rotation in a second rotary direction opposite to the first rotary direction to assume the use position to block further rotation of the first arm in the second rotary direction.
4. The walker of claim 3, wherein a border providing an edge of the pin guide slot extends between the closed-position stop and the opened-position slot to define an arc subtending a central angle of about 90° having a vertex along the axis of rotation.
5. The walker of claim 2, wherein the first sleeve includes an upper end defining an opening into the first support receiver channel, the stretcher lies in spaced-apart relation to the upper end of the first sleeve, and the pin guide slot is formed in the first sleeve to lie between the upper end and the stretcher.
6. The walker of claim 1, wherein the anti-rotation means is located in the first support receiver channel.
7. The walker of claim 1, wherein the walker frame further includes actuator means for moving the anti-rotation means to disengage the first sleeve when the first arm is rotated to assume the use position so that the first arm is free to rotate relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation toward the storage position.
8. The walker of claim 1, wherein the first arm includes a mount portion extending into the first support receiver channel and an anti-rotation lock coupled to the mount portion and configured to move relative to the first sleeve between a locked position blocking rotation of the first arm relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation upon arrival of the first arm at the use position and an unlocked position allowing rotation of the first arm relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation and wherein the walker frame includes a lock actuator including a button mount coupled to the first sleeve and an actuator button mounted on the button mount for movement to intercept and move the anti-rotation lock from the locked position to the unlocked position to free the first arm for rotation relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation.
9. The walker of claim 1, wherein the first arm is received in and is coupled to the first leg in extensible, telescoping relation, the first leg is formed to include a lock pin-receiving aperture, the first arm is formed to include a lower pin hole, and the first frame support further includes a lock pin mounted for movement in the lower pin hole between an extended position projecting into the lock pin-receiving aperture and the lower pin hole to link the first arm to the first leg to block telescoping movement of the first leg relative to the walker frame and the first arm along the axis of rotation and a retracted position outside of the lock pin-receiving aperture formed in the first leg to allow telescoping movement of the first leg relative to the walker frame and the first arm along the axis of rotation.
10. A walker comprising
- a walker frame including upright first and second sleeves and a stretcher arranged to interconnect the first and second sleeves to maintain the sleeves in spaced-apart relation to one another and
- first and second frame supports coupled to the walker frame to support the walker frame in an elevated position above ground underlying the walker frame, the first frame support extends through a first support receiver channel formed in the first sleeve, the second frame support extends through a second support receiver channel formed in the second sleeve, the first frame support including a first arm supported on the upright first sleeve for rotation about an axis of rotation between a storage position alongside the stretcher and a use position at a selected angle to the stretcher and arranged to extend away from the first sleeve to provide a grip portion adapted to be gripped by a first hand of a user, the first frame support further including a first leg coupled to the first arm to rotate therewith relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation and extend below the first sleeve and adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame, wherein the first sleeve is formed to include a pin guide slot and the first arm includes a mount portion extending into the first support receiver channel and an anchor pin coupled to the mount portion and arranged to extend into the pin guide slot for movement therein during rotation of the first arm relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation to block removal of the mount portion from the first support receiver channel, wherein one end of the pin guide slot defines a closed-position stop arranged to engage the anchor pin upon rotation of the first arm about the axis of rotation in a first rotary direction to assume the storage position to block further rotation of the first arm in the first rotary direction and an opposite end of the pin guide slot defines an opened-position stop arranged to engage the anchor pin upon rotation of the first arm about the axis of rotation in a second rotary direction opposite to the first rotary direction to assume the use position to block further rotation of the first arm in the second rotary direction, and wherein the walker frame further includes an upper end cap coupled to an upper end of the first sleeve and the upper end cap includes a top wall formed to include an arm receiver aperture receiving the mount portion therein and a skirt depending from the top wall to locate a portion of the upper end of the first sleeve providing the pin guide slot between the skirt and the mount portion.
11. A walker comprising
- a walker frame including upright first and second sleeves and a stretcher arranged to interconnect the first and second sleeves to maintain the sleeves in spaced-apart relation to one another and
- first and second frame supports coupled to the walker frame to support the walker frame in an elevated position above ground underlying the walker frame, the first frame support extends through a first support receiver channel formed in the first sleeve, the second frame support extends through a second support receiver channel formed in the second sleeve, the first frame support including a first arm supported on the upright first sleeve for rotation about an axis of rotation between a storage position alongside the stretcher and a use position at a selected angle to the stretcher and arranged to extend away from the first sleeve to provide a grip portion adapted to be gripped by a first hand of a user, the first frame support further including a first leg coupled to the first arm to rotate therewith relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation and extend below the first sleeve and adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame, wherein the first sleeve is formed to include a pin guide slot and the first arm includes a mount portion extending into the first support receiver channel and an anchor pin coupled to the mount portion and arranged to extend into the pin guide slot for movement therein during rotation of the first arm relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation to block removal of the mount portion from the first support receiver channel, wherein the first sleeve includes an upper end defining an opening into the first support receiver channel, the stretcher lies in spaced-apart relation to the upper end of the first sleeve, and the pin guide slot is formed in the first sleeve to lie between the upper end and the stretcher, and wherein the walker frame further includes an upper end cap coupled to the upper end of the first sleeve and the upper end cap includes a top wall formed to include an arm receiver aperture receiving a portion of the arm therein and a skirt depending from the top wall and covering the pin guide slot and the anchor pin extending into the pin guide slot.
12. A walker comprising
- a walker frame including upright first and second sleeves and a stretcher arranged to interconnect the first and second sleeves to maintain the sleeves in spaced-apart relation to one another and
- first and second frame supports coupled to the walker frame to support the walker frame in an elevated position above ground underlying the walker frame, the first frame support extends through a first support receiver channel formed in the first sleeve, the second frame support extends through a second support receiver channel formed in the second sleeve, the first frame support including a first arm supported on the upright first sleeve for rotation about an axis of rotation between a storage position alongside the stretcher and a use position at a selected angle to the stretcher and arranged to extend away from the first sleeve to provide a grip portion adapted to be gripped by a first hand of a user, the first frame support further including a first leg coupled to the first arm to rotate therewith relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation and extend below the first sleeve and adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame, wherein the first sleeve is formed to include a pin guide slot and the first arm includes a mount portion extending into the first support receiver channel and an anchor pin coupled to the mount portion and arranged to extend into the pin guide slot for movement therein during rotation of the first arm relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation to block removal of the mount portion from the first support receiver channel, and wherein the first sleeve is also formed to include a pin-receiving aperture, the first arm is formed to include an upper pin hole, and the first frame support further includes an anti-rotation pin mounted for movement in the upper pin hole between an extended position projecting into the pin-receiving aperture and the upper pin hole to link the first arm to the first sleeve to block rotation of the first arm relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation and a retracted position outside of the pin-receiving aperture formed in the first sleeve to allow rotation of the first arm relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation.
13. The walker of claim 12, wherein the first frame support further includes a pin-biasing spring associated with the first arm and arranged to urge the anti-rotation pin to the extended position upon alignment of the upper pin hole of the first arm in confronting relation to the pin-receiving aperture of the first sleeve.
14. The walker of claim 13, wherein the first frame support further includes means coupled to the first sleeve for moving the anti-rotation pin against the pin-biasing spring from the extended position to the retracted position so that the first arm is free to rotate relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation.
15. The walker of claim 12, wherein the walker frame further includes an upper end cap coupled to an upper end of the first sleeve and an actuator button mounted for pivotable movement about a pivot axis on the upper end cap and arranged to pivot about the pivot axis to intercept the anti-rotation pin and move the anti-rotation pin to disengage the pin-receiving aperture formed in the first sleeve.
16. The walker of claim 12, wherein the pin guide slot is formed in the first sleeve to lie between the upper end and the pin-receiving aperture.
17. A walker comprising
- a walker frame including upright first and second sleeves and a stretcher arranged to interconnect the first and second sleeves to maintain the sleeves in spaced-apart relation to one another
- first and second frame supports coupled to the walker frame to support the walker frame in an elevated position above ground underlying the walker frame, the first frame support extends through a first support receiver channel formed in the first sleeve, the second frame support extends through a second support receiver channel formed in the second sleeve, the first frame support including a first arm supported on the upright first sleeve for rotation about an axis of rotation between a storage position alongside the stretcher and a use position at a selected angle to the stretcher and arranged to extend away from the first sleeve to provide a grip portion adapted to be gripped by a first hand of a user, the first frame support further including a first leg coupled to the first arm to rotate therewith relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation and extend below the first sleeve and adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame
- wherein the first sleeve is also formed to include a pin-receiving aperture, the first arm is formed to include an upper pin hole, and the first frame support further includes an anti-rotation pin mounted for movement in the upper pin hole between an extended position projecting into the pin-receiving aperture and the upper pin hole to link the first arm to the first sleeve to block rotation of the first arm relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation and a retracted position outside of the pin-receiving aperture formed in the first sleeve to allow rotation of the first arm relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation, with the movement of the anti-rotation pin being generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
18. The walker of claim 17, wherein the first frame support further includes a pin-biasing spring associated with the first arm and arranged to urge the anti-rotation pin normally to the extended position upon alignment of the upper pin hole of the first arm in confronting relation to the pin-receiving aperture of the first sleeve.
19. The walker of claim 18, wherein the first arm includes a tubular mount portion formed to include an interior region communicating with the upper pin hole and wherein the pin-biasing spring is located in the interior region and coupled to the anti-rotation pin.
20. The walker of claim 18, wherein the first frame support further includes means coupled to the first sleeve for moving the anti-rotation pin against the pin-biasing spring from the extended position to the retracted position so that the first arm is free to rotate relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation.
21. A walker comprising
- a walker frame including upright first and second sleeves and a stretcher arranged to interconnect the first and second sleeves to maintain the sleeves in spaced-apart relation to one another and
- first and second frame supports coupled to the walker frame to support the walker frame in an elevated position above ground underlying the walker frame, the first frame support extends through a first support receiver channel formed in the first sleeve, the second frame support extends through a second support receiver channel formed in the second sleeve, the first frame support including a first arm supported on the upright first sleeve for rotation about an axis of rotation between a storage position alongside the stretcher and a use position at a selected angle to the stretcher and arranged to extend away from the first sleeve to provide a grip portion adapted to be gripped by a first hand of a user, the first frame support further including a first leg coupled to the first arm to rotate therewith relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation and extend below the first sleeve and adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame, wherein the first sleeve is also formed to include a pin-receiving aperture, the first arm is formed to include an upper pin hole, and the first frame support further includes an anti-rotation pin mounted for movement in the upper pin hole between an extended position projecting into the pin-receiving aperture and the upper pin hole to link the first arm to the first sleeve to block rotation of the first arm relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation and a retracted position outside of the pin-receiving aperture formed in the first sleeve to allow rotation of the first arm relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation, wherein the first frame support further includes a pin-biasing spring associated with the first arm and arranged to urge the anti-rotation pin normally to the extended position upon alignment of the upper pin hole of the first arm in confronting relation to the pin-receiving aperture of the first sleeve, and wherein the walker frame further includes an upper end cap coupled to an upper end of the first sleeve and an actuator button mounted for pivotable movement about a pivot axis on the upper end cap and arranged to pivot about the pivot axis to intercept the anti-rotation pin and move the anti-rotation pin to disengage the pin-receiving aperture formed in the first sleeve.
22. A walker comprising
- a walker frame including upright first and second sleeves and a stretcher arranged to interconnect the first and second sleeves to maintain the sleeves in spaced-apart relation to one another and
- first and second frame supports coupled to the walker frame to support the walker frame in an elevated position above ground underlying the walker frame, the first frame support extends through a first support receiver channel formed in the first sleeve, the second frame support extends through a second support receiver channel formed in the second sleeve, the first frame support including a first arm supported on the upright first sleeve for rotation about an axis of rotation between a storage position alongside the stretcher and a use position at a selected angle to the stretcher and arranged to extend away from the first sleeve to provide a grip portion adapted to be gripped by a first hand of a user, the first frame support further including a first leg coupled to the first arm to rotate therewith relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation and extend below the first sleeve and adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame, wherein the first arm is received in and is coupled to the first leg in extensible, telescoping relation, the first leg is formed to include a lock pin-receiving aperture, the first arm is formed to include a lower pin hole, and the first frame support further includes a lock pin mounted for movement in the lower pin hole between an extended position projecting into the lock pin-receiving aperture and the lower pin hole to link the first arm to the first leg to block telescoping movement of the first leg relative to the walker frame and the first arm along the axis of rotation and a retracted position outside of the lock pin-receiving aperture formed in the first leg to allow telescoping movement of the first leg relative to the walker frame and the first arm along the axis of rotation, and wherein the walker frame includes a lock actuator including a button mount coupled to the first sleeve and an actuator button mounted on the button mount for movement to intercept and move the lock pin from the extended position to the retracted position to free the first leg for telescoping movement relative to the walker frame and the first arm along the axis of rotation.
23. The walker of claim 22, wherein the first frame support further includes a pin-biasing spring associated with the first arm and arranged to urge the lock pin normally to the extended position upon alignment of the lower pin hole of the first arm in confronting relation to the lock pin-receiving aperture of the first leg.
24. A walker comprising
- a walker frame including upright first and second sleeves and a stretcher arranged to interconnect the first and second sleeves to maintain the sleeves in spaced-apart relation to one another, each sleeve including upper and lower ends, the first sleeve including a first channel extending from an opening in the upper end of the first sleeve to an opening in the lower end of the first sleeve, the second sleeve including a second channel extending from an opening in the upper end of the second sleeve to an opening in the lower end of the second sleeve,
- a first frame support including a first arm and a first leg, the first arm being separate from the first leg, the first arm including a first mount portion extending into the first channel through the opening in the upper end of the first sleeve, a first handle portion coupled to the first mount portion to move therewith and arranged to lie outside of the first channel, and a first anchor coupled to the first mount portion and arranged to engage the first sleeve to support the first mount portion for rotation relative to the first sleeve about a first axis of rotation between a storage position and a use position, the first leg including a first post extending into the first channel through the opening in the lower end of the first sleeve to mate with a lower end of the first mount portion and a first post foundation coupled to the first post to move therewith and adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame, and
- a second frame support including a second arm and a second leg, the second arm including a second mount portion extending into the second channel through the opening in the upper end of the second sleeve, a second handle portion coupled to the second mount portion to move therewith and arranged to lie outside of the second channel, and a second anchor coupled to the second mount portion and arranged to engage the second sleeve to support the second mount portion for rotation relative to the second sleeve about a second axis of rotation between a storage position and a use position, the second leg including a second post extending into the second channel through the opening in the lower end of the second sleeve to mate with a lower end of the second mount portion and a second post foundation coupled to the second post to move therewith and adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame.
25. The walker of claim 24, wherein the stretcher is an elongated tubular member having a first end coupled to the first sleeve and an opposite second end coupled to the second sleeve.
26. The walker of claim 25, wherein the walker frame is H-shaped.
27. The walker of claim 26, wherein each arm is L-shaped and each leg is Y-shaped.
28. The walker of claim 24, wherein the first arm is L-shaped and includes a first handle portion and a first elbow interconnecting the first handle portion and the first mount portion, the second arm is L-shaped and includes a second handle portion and a second elbow interconnecting the second handle portion and the second mount portion, and the first and second handle portions are arranged to lie in laterally spaced-apart relation to one another when the first and second mount portions are rotated to assume the use positions and are arranged to lie in end-to-end relation to one another in a space bounded by the stretcher and the first and second axes of rotation when the first and second mount portions are rotated to assume the storage positions.
29. The walker of claim 24, wherein the first post foundation includes a first leg elbow coupled to the first post, a first base having an upper portion coupled to the first leg elbow and a lower portion adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame, and a first post stabilizer having an upper portion coupled to the first base and a lower portion adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame, and wherein the second post foundation includes a second leg elbow coupled to the second post, a second base having an upper portion coupled to the second leg elbow and a lower portion adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame, and a second post stabilizer having an upper portion coupled to the second base and a lower portion adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame.
30. The walker of claim 29, wherein the first post stabilizer is arranged to underlie the first post and the second post stabilizer is arranged to underlie the second post.
31. The walker of claim 24, wherein the first sleeve includes an upper portion located above a junction between the first sleeve and the stretcher and formed to include a first slot, the first anchor extends into and moves in the first slot to support the first mount portion for rotation relative to the first sleeve about the first axis of rotation, the second sleeve includes an upper portion located above a junction between the second sleeve and the stretcher and formed to include a second slot, and the second anchor extends into and moves in the second slot to support the second mount portion for rotation relative to the second sleeve about the second axis of rotation.
32. The walker of claim 31, wherein the first sleeve includes a lower portion located below a junction between the first sleeve and the stretcher and formed to include a first interior region therein, the first mount portion extends downwardly through the first interior region, the first leg extends upwardly into the first interior region to mate with the first mount portion in extensible, telescoping relation, the first leg is formed to include a first lock pin-receiving aperture located outside of the first interior region, the first arm is formed to include a first lower pin hole, the first frame support further includes a first lock pin mounted for movement in the first lower pin hole between an extended position projecting into the first lock pin-receiving aperture and the first lower pin hole to link the first arm to the first leg so as to block telescoping movement of the first leg relative to the first walker frame and the first arm along the first axis of rotation and a retracted position outside of the first lock pin-receiving aperture formed in the first leg so as to allow telescoping movement of the first leg relative to the walker frame and the first arm along the first axis of rotation, the second sleeve includes a lower portion located below a junction between the second sleeve and the stretcher and formed to include a second interior region therein, the second mount portion extends downwardly through the second interior region, the second leg extends upwardly into the second interior region to the mate with the second mount portion in extensible, telescoping relation, the second leg is formed to include a second lock pin-receiving aperture located outside of the second interior region, the second arm is formed to include a second lower pin hole, the second frame support further includes a second lock pin mounted for movement in the second lower pin hole between an extended position projecting into the second lock pin-receiving aperture and the second lower pin hole to link the second arm to the second leg so as to block telescoping movement of the second leg relative to the walker frame and the second arm along the second axis of rotation and a retracted position outside of the second lock pin-receiving aperture formed in the second leg so as to allow telescoping movement of the second leg relative to the walker frame and the second arm along the second axis of rotation.
33. A walker comprising
- a walker frame including upright first and second sleeves and a stretcher arranged to interconnect the first and second sleeves to maintain the sleeves in spaced-apart relation to one another, each sleeve including upper and lower ends, the first sleeve including a first channel extending from an opening in the upper end of the first sleeve to an opening in the lower end of the first sleeve, the second sleeve including a second channel extending from an opening in the upper end of the second sleeve to an opening in the lower end of the second sleeve,
- a first frame support including a first arm and a first leg, the first arm including a first mount portion extending into the first channel through the opening in the upper end of the first sleeve, a first handle portion coupled to the first mount portion to move therewith and arranged to lie outside of the first channel, and a first anchor coupled to the first mount portion and arranged to engage the first sleeve to support the first mount portion for rotation relative to the first sleeve about a first axis of rotation between a storage position and a use position, the first leg including a first post extending into the first channel through the opening in the lower end of the first sleeve to mate with a lower end of the first mount portion and a first post foundation coupled to the first post to move therewith and adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame, and
- a second frame support including a second arm and a second leg, the second arm including a second mount portion extending into the second channel through the opening in the upper end of the second sleeve, a second handle portion coupled to the second mount portion to move therewith and arranged to lie outside of the second channel, and a second anchor coupled to the second mount portion and arranged to engage the second sleeve to support the second mount portion for rotation relative to the second sleeve about a second axis of rotation between a storage position and a use position, the second leg including a second post extending into the second channel through the opening in the lower end of the second sleeve to mate with a lower end of the second mount portion and a second post foundation coupled to the second post to move therewith and adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame, wherein the first arm is L-shaped and includes a first handle portion and a first elbow interconnecting the first handle portion and the first mount portion, the second arm is L-shaped and includes a second handle portion and a second elbow interconnecting the second handle portion and the second mount portion, and the first and second handle portions are arranged to lie in laterally spaced-apart relation to one another when the first and second mount portions are rotated to assume the use positions and are arranged to lie in end-to-end relation to one another in a space bounded by the stretcher and the first and second axes of rotation when the first and second mount portions are rotated to assume the storage positions, and wherein the first post foundation includes a first inverted V-shaped member comprising a first base and a first post stabilizer and also includes a first leg elbow interconnecting the first base and the first post, the second post foundation includes a second inverted V-shaped member comprising a second base and a second post stabilizer and also includes a second leg elbow interconnecting the second base and the second post, and the first and second V-shaped members are arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to one another when the first and second mount portions are rotated to assume the use positions and are arranged to lie in side-by-side overlapping position to cause the first and second bases to cross and lie in a space below the stretcher between the first and second post stabilizers when the first and second mount portions are rotated to assume the storage positions.
34. A walker comprising
- a walker frame including upright first and second sleeves and a stretcher arranged to interconnect the first and second sleeves to maintain the sleeves in spaced-apart relation to one another, each sleeve including upper and lower ends, the first sleeve including a first channel extending from an opening in the upper end of the first sleeve to an opening in the lower end of the first sleeve, the second sleeve including a second channel extending from an opening in the upper end of the second sleeve to an opening in the lower end of the second sleeve,
- a first frame support including a first arm and a first leg, the first arm including a first mount portion extending into the first channel through the opening in the upper end of the first sleeve, a first handle portion coupled to the first mount portion to move therewith and arranged to lie outside of the first channel, and a first anchor coupled to the first mount portion and arranged to engage the first sleeve to support the first mount portion for rotation relative to the first sleeve about a first axis of rotation between a storage position and a use position, the first leg including a first post extending into the first channel through the opening in the lower end of the first sleeve to mate with a lower end of the first mount portion and a first post foundation coupled to the first post to move therewith and adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame, and
- a second frame support including a second arm and a second leg, the second arm including a second mount portion extending into the second channel through the opening in the upper end of the second sleeve, a second handle portion coupled to the second mount portion to move therewith and arranged to lie outside of the second channel, and a second anchor coupled to the second mount portion and arranged to engage the second sleeve to support the second mount portion for rotation relative to the second sleeve about a second axis of rotation between a storage position and a use position, the second leg including a second post extending into the second channel through the opening in the lower end of the second sleeve to mate with a lower end of the second mount portion and a second post foundation coupled to the second post to move therewith and adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame, wherein the first post foundation includes a first inverted V-shaped member comprising a first base and a first post stabilizer and also includes a first leg elbow interconnecting the first base and the first post, the second post foundation includes a second inverted V-shaped member comprising a second base and a second post stabilizer and also includes a second leg elbow interconnecting the second base and the second post, and the first and second V-shaped members are arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to one another when the first and second mount portions are rotated to assume the use positions and are arranged to lie in side-by-side overlapping position to cause the first and second bases to cross and lie in a space below the stretcher between the first and second post stabilizers when the first and second mount portions are rotated to assume the storage positions.
35. The walker of claim 34, wherein the stretcher is an elongated tubular member having a first end coupled to the first sleeve and an opposite second end coupled to the second sleeve.
36. A walker comprising
- a walker frame including upright first and second sleeves and a stretcher arranged to interconnect the first and second sleeves to maintain the sleeves in spaced-apart relation to one another, each sleeve including upper and lower ends, the first sleeve including a first channel extending from an opening in the upper end of the first sleeve to an opening in the lower end of the first sleeve, the second sleeve including a second channel extending from an opening in the upper end of the second sleeve to an opening in the lower end of the second sleeve,
- a first frame support including a first arm and a first leg, the first arm including a first mount portion extending into the first channel through the opening in the upper end of the first sleeve, a first handle portion coupled to the first mount portion to move therewith and arranged to lie outside of the first channel, and a first anchor coupled to the first mount portion and arranged to engage the first sleeve to support the first mount portion for rotation relative to the first sleeve about a first axis of rotation between a storage position and a use position, the first leg including a first post extending into the first channel through the opening in the lower end of the first sleeve to mate with a lower end of the first mount portion and a first post foundation coupled to the first post to move therewith and adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame, and
- a second frame support including a second arm and a second leg, the second aim including a second mount portion extending into the second channel through the opening in the upper end of the second sleeve, a second handle portion coupled to the second mount portion to move therewith and arranged to lie outside of the second channel, and a second anchor coupled to the second mount portion and arranged to engage the second sleeve to support the second mount portion for rotation relative to the second sleeve about a second axis of rotation between a storage position and a use position, the second leg including a second post extending into the second channel through the opening in the lower end of the second sleeve to mate with a lower end of the second mount portion and a second post foundation coupled to the second post to move therewith and adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame, wherein the first sleeve includes an upper portion located above a junction between the first sleeve and the stretcher and formed to include a first slot, the first anchor extends into and moves in the first slot to support the first mount portion for rotation relative to the first sleeve about the first axis of rotation, the second sleeve includes an upper portion located above a junction between the second sleeve and the stretcher and formed to include a second slot, and the second anchor extends into and moves in the second slot to support the second mount portion for rotation relative to the second sleeve about the second axis of rotation, and wherein the upper portion of the first sleeve is formed to include a first pin-receiving aperture, the first mount portion is formed to include a first upper hole, the first frame support further includes a first anti-rotation pin mounted for movement in the first upper pin hole between an extended position projecting into the first pin-receiving aperture and the first upper pin hole to link the first arm to the first sleeve so as to block rotation of the first arm relative to the first sleeve about the first axis of rotation and a first pin-biasing spring associated with the first arm and arranged to urge the first anti-rotation pin to the extended position upon alignment of the first upper pin hole in confronting relation to the first pin-receiving aperture, the upper portion of the second sleeve is formed to include a second pin-receiving aperture, the second mount portion is formed to include a second upper pin hole, and the second frame support further includes a second anti-rotation pin mounted for movement in the second upper pin hole between an extended position projecting into the second pin-receiving aperture and the second upper pin hole to link the second arm to the second sleeve so as to block rotation of the second arm relative to the second sleeve about the second axis of rotation and a second pin-biasing spring associated with the second arm and arranged to urge the second anti-rotation pin to the extended position upon alignment of the second upper pin hole in confronting relation to the second pin-receiving aperture.
37. The walker of claim 36, wherein the walker frame further includes a first button mount coupled to the upper portion of the first sleeve and a first actuator button mounted for movement on the first button mount to intercept the first anti-rotation pin and move the first anti-rotation pin to disengage the first pin-receiving aperture formed in the first sleeve to free the first arm and first leg for rotation relative to the first sleeve about the first axis of rotation and the walker frame further includes a second button mount coupled to the upper portion of the second sleeve and a second actuator button mounted for movement on the second button mount to intercept the second anti-rotation pin and move the second anti-rotation pin to disengage the second pin-receiving aperture formed in the second sleeve to free the second arm and second leg for rotation relative to the second sleeve about the second axis of rotation.
38. The walker of claim 37, wherein the first actuator button is mounted on the first button mount to pivot about a first pivot axis and the second actuator button is mounted on the second button mount to pivot about a second pivot axis.
39. A walker comprising
- a walker frame including upright first and second sleeves and a stretcher arranged to interconnect the first and second sleeves to maintain the sleeves in spaced-apart relation to one another, each sleeve including upper and lower ends, the first sleeve including a first channel extending from an opening in the upper end of the first sleeve to an opening in the lower end of the first sleeve, the second sleeve including a second channel extending from an opening in the upper end of the second sleeve to an opening in the lower end of the second sleeve,
- a first frame support including a first arm and a first leg, the first arm including a first mount portion extending into the first channel through the opening in the upper end of the first sleeve, a first handle portion coupled to the first mount portion to move therewith and arranged to lie outside of the first channel, and a first anchor coupled to the first mount portion and arranged to engage the first sleeve to support the first mount portion for rotation relative to the first sleeve about a first axis of rotation between a storage position and a use position, the first leg including a first post extending into the first channel through the opening in the lower end of the first sleeve to mate with a lower end of the first mount portion and a first post foundation coupled to the first post to move therewith and adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame, and
- a second frame support including a second arm and a second leg, the second arm including a second mount portion extending into the second channel through the opening in the upper end of the second sleeve, a second handle portion coupled to the second mount portion to move therewith and arranged to lie outside of the second channel, and a second anchor coupled to the second mount portion and arranged to engage the second sleeve to support the second mount portion for rotation relative to the second sleeve about a second axis of rotation between a storage position and a use position, the second leg including a second post extending into the second channel through the opening in the lower end of the second sleeve to mate with a lower end of the second mount portion and a second post foundation coupled to the second post to move therewith and adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame, wherein the first sleeve includes an upper portion located above a junction between the first sleeve and the stretcher and formed to include a first slot, the first anchor extends into and moves in the first slot to support the first mount portion for rotation relative to the first sleeve about the first axis of rotation, the second sleeve includes an upper portion located above a junction between the second sleeve and the stretcher and formed to include a second slot, and the second anchor extends into and moves in the second slot to support the second mount portion for rotation relative to the second sleeve about the second axis of rotation, wherein the first sleeve includes a lower portion located below a junction between the first sleeve and the stretcher and formed to include a first interior region therein, the first mount portion extends downwardly through the first interior region, the first leg extends upwardly into the first interior region to mate with the first mount portion in extensible, telescoping relation, the first leg is formed to include a first lock pin-receiving aperture located outside of the first interior region, the first arm is formed to include a first lower pin hole, the first frame support further includes a first lock pin mounted for movement in the first lower pin hole between an extended position projecting into the first lock pin-receiving aperture and the first lower pin hole to link the first arm to the first leg so as to block telescoping movement of the first leg relative to the walker frame and the first arm along the first axis of rotation and a retracted position outside of the first lock pin-receiving aperture formed in the first leg so as to allow telescoping movement of the first leg relative to the walker frame and the first arm along the first axis of rotation, the second sleeve includes a lower portion located below a junction between the second sleeve and the stretcher and formed to include a second interior region therein, the second mount portion extends downwardly through the second interior region, the second leg extends upwardly into the second interior region to the mate with the second mount portion in extensible, telescoping relation, the second leg is formed to include a second lock pin-receiving aperture located outside of the second interior region, the second arm is formed to include a second lower pin hole, the second frame support further includes a second lock pin mounted for movement in the second lower pin hole between an extended position projecting into the second lock pin-receiving aperture and the second lower pin hole to link the second arm to the second leg so as to block telescoping movement of the second leg relative to the walker frame and the second arm along the second axis of rotation and a retracted position outside of the second lock pin-receiving aperture formed in the second leg so as to allow telescoping movement of the second leg relative to the walker frame and the second arm along the second axis of rotation, and wherein the first frame support includes a first pin-biasing spring associated with the first arm and arranged to urge the first lock pin normally to the extended position upon alignment of the first lower pin hole in confronting relation to the first lock pin-receiving aperture, the walker frame further includes a first lock actuator including a first button mount coupled to the lower portion of the first sleeve and a first actuator button mounted on the first button mount to intercept and move the first lock pin from the extended position to the retracted position to free the first leg for telescoping movement relative to the walker frame and the first arm along the first axis of rotation, the second frame support includes a second pin-biasing spring associated with the second arm and arranged to urge the second lock pin normally to the extended position upon alignment of the second lower pin hole in confronting relation to the second lock pin-receiving aperture, and the walker frame further includes a second lock actuator including a second button mount coupled to the lower portion of the second sleeve and a second actuator button mounted on the second button mount to intercept and move the second lock pin from the extended position to the retracted position to free the second leg for telescoping movement relative to the walker frame and the second arm along the second axis of rotation.
40. The walker of claim 39, wherein the upper portion of the first sleeve is formed to include a first pin-receiving aperture, the first mount portion is formed to include a first upper hole, the first frame support further includes a first anti-rotation pin mounted for movement in the first upper pin hole between an extended position projecting into the first pin-receiving aperture and the first upper pin hole to link the first arm to the first sleeve so as to block rotation of the first arm relative to the first sleeve about the first axis of rotation and a first pin-biasing spring associated with the first arm and arranged to urge the first anti-rotation pin to the extended position upon alignment of the first upper pin hole in confronting relation to the first pin-receiving aperture, the upper portion of the second sleeve is formed to include a second pin-receiving aperture, the second mount portion is formed to include a second upper pin hole, and the second frame support further includes a second anti-rotation pin mounted for movement in the second upper pin hole between an extended position projecting into the second pin-receiving aperture and the second upper pin hole to link the second arm to the second sleeve so as to block rotation of the second arm relative to the second sleeve about the second axis of rotation and a second pin-biasing spring associated with the second arm and arranged to urge the second anti-rotation pin to the extended position upon alignment of the second upper pin hole in confronting relation to the second pin-receiving aperture.
41. A walker comprising
- a walker frame including first and second sleeves and a stretcher arranged to interconnect the first and second sleeves to maintain the sleeves in spaced-apart relation to one another,
- a first frame support including a first arm adapted to be gripped by a user and a first leg adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame, the first frame support extending through a first channel formed in the first sleeve,
- a second frame support including a second arm adapted to be gripped by a user and a second leg adapted to engage ground underlying the walker frame, the second frame support extending through a second channel formed in the second sleeve
- wherein the first frame support further includes rotary means for supporting the first arm on the first sleeve for rotation about a first axis of rotation between a storage position and a user position, and
- wherein the first leg is arranged to extend into the first channel and mate with the first arm to slide relative to the first arm to vary elevation of the first arm above ground underlying the walker frame and the first frame support further includes height-adjustment means for selectively locking the first leg to the first arm in a selected one of several positions to establish an effective height of the first frame support without blocking rotation of the first arm relative to the first axis of rotation.
42. The walker of claim 41,
- wherein the first frame support further includes a first anchor coupled to the first arm and arranged to engage the first sleeve to support the first arm for rotation relative to the first sleeve about a first axis between a storage position and a user position, and
- an anti-rotation pin mounted for movement generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation between an extended position and a retracted position to block rotation of the first arm relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation and to allow rotation of the first arm relative to the first sleeve about the axis of rotation.
43. The walker of claim 42, wherein the first anchor is located in the first channel.
44. The walker of claim 42, wherein the first sleeve is formed to include a first pin guide slot and the first anchor is arranged to extend into the first pin guide slot for movement therein during rotation of the first arm relative to the first sleeve about the first axis of rotation to block removal of the first arm from the first channel.
45. The walker of claim 44, wherein one end of the first pin guide slot defines a closed-position stop arranged to engage the first anchor upon rotation of the first arm about the axis of rotation in a first rotary direction to assume the storage position to block further rotation of the first arm in the first rotary direction and an opposite end of the first pin guide slot defines an opened-position stop arranged to engage the first anchor upon rotation of the first arm about the axis of rotation in a second rotary direction opposite to the first rotary direction to assume the use position to block further rotation of the first arm in the second rotary direction.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Apr 26, 2004
Date of Patent: Oct 9, 2007
Patent Publication Number: 20050236025
Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc. (Wilmington, DE)
Inventors: Bradley Gale (Columbus, IN), Mike Ienna (Rochester, NY)
Primary Examiner: David Dunn
Assistant Examiner: Danielle Jackson
Attorney: Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Application Number: 10/831,821
International Classification: A45B 9/00 (20060101); A61H 3/00 (20060101);